Perhaps you've experienced looking at someone who has aged gracefully and thought, "I want to age like that someday." To me, a person who ages gracefully knows themselves well, has a distinct taste, and exudes a unique personal scent. And this scent is most evident in the home, where one can indeed be themselves. Therefore, the environment and the spaces you frequently experience are crucial to aging gracefully. However, we tend to imagine an expensive home when discussing living well. While it's true that a home plays a significant role in living well, the fact that people who live in expensive homes are only some with refined tastes and a unique scent suggests that such a home is optional for aging gracefully. So, what kind of space do we need to age gracefully? Let’s explore that.

1 The Beginning of a Space for Aging Gracefully

“Did you make your bed this morning?”

The most crucial element in creating a space for aging gracefully is organization. You might find this a bit unexpected, but the basics must be in place to enjoy anything truly. If you want to create a space that truly reflects your taste, it must first be organized. The space around us dramatically influences our thoughts; discovering your true self and expressing your taste becomes challenging in a cluttered space. In the movie "Limitless," there's a scene where Bradley Cooper, playing a struggling writer who takes a mysterious pill that allows him to use 100% of his brain, becomes an overnight sensation by writing a bestseller. Before he even starts writing, the first thing he does is clean and organize his home. As I organize my space, I realize what's important to me, and maintaining an organized state brings order to my life and attitude. After a long day, it's not easy to come home and tidy up a messy house. I've set a few personal rules for myself that you might find helpful to try out in a light-hearted way.

First Principle: Let Out As Much As You Let In

When the number of items increases, so does the need for organization. In a limited space, rearranging and organizing these items raises the likelihood of clutter. Think of it as the expanding scope of tasks you have to handle. Not everyone has to become a minimalist, but if your desire to showcase your tastes leads you to embrace maximalism, you must accept that this will require a significant investment of time in the organization.

Once you've determined your threshold for maintaining order, the next step is removing something whenever you immediately bring in something new. Typically, people tend to organize during a move or a change of seasons. This leads to tackling a mountain of clutter all at once, making the process daunting from the start, and every time you see a disorganized space; it can feel overwhelming. My suggestion is simple: whenever you purchase a new item or garment, remove an equivalent number of items right then. When a new outfit arrives, as you hang it in the closet, pull out an unworn piece to donate. When you buy new toys or books for your child, sell the old ones they no longer use. This approach makes you think about what to discard even when buying something new. If you find nothing to let go of, you might decide it's not the right time to make a purchase, thus curbing impulse buys.

Second Principle: Time Out

I set a specific time limit when I clean and organize according to a routine. If I decide to tidy up for just ten minutes, I stick to that, organizing only as much as possible within that timeframe, and then I move on to something I enjoy. The idea that I had to complete all household chores at once made the task seem overwhelming and burdensome. However, setting a time limit has significantly reduced this pressure. Even dedicating just 10 to 30 minutes daily to tidying up helps maintain order. If you live with others, it could be beneficial for each person to set aside a specific time to tidy up their own spaces.

Lastly, Treat Yourself Like the Most Honored Guest

Whenever guests come over, we tend to clean up more meticulously. At some point, I realized I was the most critical guest in my home. So, I started treating my living space with the same care I would show when preparing a guest bed. Each morning, as I make my bed, I think of the guest (me) who will return home in the evening. (A bit of a side note, but clean bedding is also my secret to good skin.) Treat yourself with care in your own space, especially after a long day. Cultivating a habit of valuing yourself will help you age gracefully.

2 Is Your Home Truly Reflective of Who You Are?

Now that we’ve laid the foundation, it’s time to explore the fun part: creating a space that allows us to age gracefully. There is no shortage of content about stylish and alluring spaces, indicating a widespread desire for spaces that exude personality and beauty. Many of us have probably watched virtual home tours of celebrities and wondered where they got a particular decor piece or dishware. I, too, have been there. But perhaps due to the influence of these celebrities, a kind of fatigue has set in as everyone’s homes began to look the same, with modern-century furniture and Danish lighting becoming ubiquitous and similar copycat products appearing like trends. However, a new trend has recently emerged that inspires us to create our own spaces.

1) Real Estate as Curated Shops: Byulzip Real Estate (@byulzip)

Have you ever watched an interior design magazine or the show “Architecture Exploration” and wondered, “How did they find a home like that?” Finding a space that truly reflects who you are begins with finding a home that suits you, but knowing where to start can be daunting. So, I’d like to introduce a real estate service that helps you find a home that matches your tastes. Typically, when searching for a home, we consider factors like its south-facing direction, proximity to public transportation, potential appreciation in value, and the quality of nearby schools. But Byulzip Real Estate (byulzip.com), a real estate agency, suggests creating your criteria instead of relying on conventional standards. Run by Myung-hee Jeon, a licensed real estate agent, Byulzip is a one-woman operation. Although Jeon graduated with a degree in architecture, she contemplated a different career path until she met Yatsumi Hiyashi, the head of Tokyo R Real Estate, who renovated neglected Tokyo buildings and showcased them in magazine-style features. Inspired by this encounter, she earned her real estate license and began her career earnestly. As someone who has only ever lived in apartments, I enjoyed seeing homes with diverse layouts. What impressed me most was how Byulzip curates spaces meticulously, highlighting the points architects focused on for the residents' comfort and detailing the joys one might experience when living there. Unlike typical real estate agencies, which operate based on specific regions, Byulzip offers a range of homes from various locations, including architect-designed homes, adding to its appeal. Recently, they also published a book titled Finding a Home That Feels Like You, which helps cultivate spatial sensitivity—essential for identifying a home that truly suits you. If you’re interested, I recommend reading it.

2) IKEA Hackers:
Customize Your Space to Reflect Your True Self

It would be best to have furniture and decorative pieces to create a space that genuinely feels like your own. Even when organizing, a well-thought-out selection of accessories is essential. For many, IKEA is the first name that comes to mind. IKEA’s products are modular and easily customizable, allowing anyone with some creativity to transform them into the perfect piece at a reasonable price. This global phenomenon has given rise to a community known as IKEA Hackers (Ikea hackers. net)—individuals who modify IKEA’s standard offerings to suit their unique styles. I’ve experimented with a few IKEA hacks myself.

Hack 1: I used document holders to organize pants and sweaters in my wardrobe. This method prevents clothes from getting disorganized whenever I pull something out and prevents winter sweaters from being compressed. It also looks neat from the outside.
Hack 2: Consider installing an IKEA shoe cabinet instead of upper cabinets in a small bathroom. This allows for ample storage of towels, hairdryers, and cosmetics while making the most of limited space.

Recently, more brands in the furniture market have emerged, positioning themselves as IKEA hackers. These brands provide solutions to IKEA products' limitations and offer more incredible customization options. For example, the Swedish brand Superfront enhances IKEA furniture by selling premium tops, handles, and other accessories that upgrade the look. The result is a luxurious feel at a third of the cost of premium furniture.

In Korea, a brand called B.arc also considers itself an IKEA hacker. B.arc, founded by a former IKEA employee, aims to move away from spaces designed purely based on societal trends and norms and instead focuses on adding individuality to spaces and lives. They rejuvenate worn-out IKEA furniture, giving it new life with an emphasis on sustainability. B.arc sells components that can be attached to existing IKEA products, so if you’ve felt that standard IKEA pieces didn’t quite express your personal taste, this might be the challenge for you!

3) Home Creators

If you’re still glued to “Ohouse,” it might be time to explore new content. The term “home creator” has gained traction recently, and there’s been a surge in content showcasing personal expression through one’s living space. Here are a few standout examples to check out.

#Call Me Soo (YouTube @justcallmeSOO)

Soo-min Lim, multi-hyphenate juggling roles as a street photographer, freelance marketer, and translator, is documenting the complete transformation of an old house in Tongyeong into a uniquely personalized newlywed home on her YouTube channel. The content vividly captures her journey of self-interior design, from start to finish, showcasing her creative process and collaboration with brands that sponsor her projects based on her desired interior style and content plan. The inspiration she draws from the region of Tongyeong is fully reflected in the design, making her space a true embodiment of her life and offering viewers a delightful visual experience.

#Lifezip(https://lifezip.kr)

Life.zip bills itself as a “community for home enthusiasts,” offering curated content on topics like cooking, gardening, and the lives of creators under the motto “We can do anything at home.” If “Ohouse” is more commerce-focused, Life.zip leans heavily into the community aspect. It offers a glimpse into the lives of various creators and their spaces, sharing their unique perspectives on what a personalized space should look like. If you’re pondering what your ideal home might be, dive in!

#Younhyun bomulchango (Instagram @younhyun_bomulchango)

Anyone who’s dabbled in interior design has likely heard of Younhyun Trading, the tile distribution company that has become a household name. During my design journey, I found myself frequenting their store so often that I could have worn down the threshold. Today, Younhyun Trading has evolved beyond a mere tile distributor; it has become a platform for sharing stories about architecture, home, art, and culture with the local community. One of their standout initiatives is the "Younhyun bomulchango." Initially conceived in 2014 to sell surplus tiles, the bomulchango has since blossomed into a cultural festival with booths featuring brand artists, designers, and food vendors. It’s where one can encounter dozens of new brands and creators, all exploring thought-provoking themes like coexistence and expiration dates—ideas worth pondering in any aspect of life. Follow their Instagram account (@younhyun_bomulchango) to keep up with their events.